By AMANDA HALM
For fans of Anne, a trip to PEI for the many Anne of Green Gables sites is a necessity (Photo: Jenna MacMillian as "Anne of Green Gables" Tourism PEI / Barrett & MacKay)
Take your summer reading plans on the road: Walk in the footsteps of a memorable character or see where prolific poets spent their early years at one of these seven literary destinations across Canada. (more…)
Canada’s leading book magazine, Quill & Quire, asked booksellers across Canada to share their predictions for the best-selling Canadian travel titles this holiday season.
One of the most frequently named books was Canadian Pie (October 2011; Penguin Canada), a collection of kooky cross-Canada adventure stories, by Will Ferguson, author of Happiness and Hitching Rides with Buddha: Travels in Search of Japan.
This cookbook is chock full of delicious recipes
You never know which celebrity chefs or popular cookbook authors might stop by Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks to teach a class in the bookstore’s demonstration kitchen. On May 9, James Beard Award–winning author Trish Magwood presents recipes from her latest release, In My Mother’s Kitchen (Harper Collins; $39.99). Much more than a mere cookbook, it draws upon lessons learned from her mother and grandmother and focuses on preserving the family table in our hectic modern lives. The class is limited to 16 participants and the cost is $105.—Sheri Radford
The Vancouver Canucks Quizbook
True Vancouver Canucks fans test their hockey knowledge with a rousing round of trivia or a challenging crossword in The Vancouver Canucks Quizbook (Nightwood Editions, $8.95). Learn about the record-setting Sedin twins or local boy Trevor Linden. Make it a group game night and wave the white towel as teammates guess the most common last name in Canuck history, or take a shot at figuring out in which round of the 1989 draft picks Pavel Bure was chosen. Available at local bookstores.—Jennifer Patterson
Kat Von D's new book hits shelves this month
Tattoo artist, television star, author and all-around badass Kat Von D just released a new book: The Tattoo Chronicles (HarperCollins Canada, $33.99). This glimpse into the life of Von D includes diary entries, sketches and photos. Visit Chapters on Robson Street on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. for a chance to meet Miss Von D and purchase a signed copy.—Jennifer Patterson
A Feast for All Seasons by Andrew George Jr.
In the sustainability era, where people are increasingly choosing local over international and cloth over plastic, it seems appropriate that North American food adopt a similar eco-friendly stance. Canadian First Nations chef Andrew George Jr.’s A Feast For All Seasons (Arsenal Pulp Press, $24.95), available at local bookstores, features 120 recipes about creating authentic Aboriginal cuisine with organic ingredients, such as braised bear or blueberry cookies. Bon appetit or so’h ga nec kewh dalt!—Kendra Wong
From bookstores to author readings to a thriving literary scene, this city has everything a bibliophile could desire
By Sheri Radford
The central branch of the Vancouver Public Library fills a full city block and sports a living roof. Photo by KK Law
Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival
Name a well-known author and chances are that writer has appeared at this annual festival in the past 22 years. Among the most celebrated previous guests: JK Rowling (Harry Potter), Salman Rushdie (The Satanic Verses) and Audrey Niffenegger (The Time Traveler’s Wife). This year’s festival (Oct. 19 to 24) showcases more than 100 authors in 67 lively events, ranging from a poetry bash to a literary cabaret to daytime events (some in French) for schoolchildren. It’s six days of heaven for readers. (more…)
David Suzuki photo courtesy David Suzuki Foundation
Where has the time gone? Seems like only yesterday that recycling was a foreign concept and we all drank out of non-biodegradable Styrofoam cups. This month, the David Suzuki Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary. Created as a catalyst for social change in light of the world’s environmental problems, the bilingual organization is practically synonymous with tireless local activist David Suzuki, who turns 75 in the new year. To mark these major milestones, Sturla Gunnarsson’s documentary Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie and Suzuki’s book The Legacy: An Elder’s Vision for Our Sustainable Future (Greystone Books, $25; at local bookstores) are being released, and the man himself is embarking on a national lecture tour. For more information on anniversary activities and how you can go green, visit www.davidsuzuki.org. The planet will thank you.—Sheri Radford
A delightful read for budding sommeliers
Oenophiles sip and spit their way through more than 1,000 wineries in BC, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. This burgeoning wine region is also blessed with an abundance of seafood, wild game, fruits and vegetables. Carol Frieberg and Andy Perdue’s Swirl, Sip and Savor: Northwest Wine and Small Plate Pairings (Sasquatch Books, $26.95) brings the best of local food and wine together in recipes such as a minted crab salad with chilled cucumber water paired with a Mission Hill Reserve Riesling. At local bookstores.—Sheri Radford
Glimpse into Vancouver's past with this coffee-table tome
In 1939, the Marine Building and the Hotel Vancouver protruded above the Vancouver skyline. Nowadays, the city is chock-a-block with highrises. Discover these differences—and many more—in the fascinating paired photos in Francis Mansbridge’s Vancouver Then and Now (Thunder Bay Press, $22.95), at local bookstores.—Sheri Radford
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